Should You Add Tranexamic Acid to Your Brightening Routine?

Struggling with hyperpigmentation or melasma? Learn how tranexamic acid works, who should use it, and which products are worth trying.

As a brown-skinned girl, I can’t resist the temptation of skincare ingredients that promise radiant, glowing skin. Vitamin C, niacinamide, azelaic acid, kojic acid, alpha arbutin—I’ve tried the whole brightening buffet.

Some of these have found a permanent spot in my routine, and some have been discarded along the way, but still, I continue to be on the lookout for ingredients that actually deliver results—without wrecking my skin barrier in the process.

Enter tranexamic acid. It’s gentle, stable, plays well with others, and is especially effective for treating melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and sun-induced dark spots. But is it worth adding to your routine? Let’s dig into the history, the science, and some Skinimalist-approved products you may want to consider starting out with.

Tranexamic Acid: A Quick History

Tranexamic acid (TXA, for short) was first developed in the 1960s for bleeding disorders. Yep. Its original purpose was to stop excessive bleeding during surgery, trauma, or heavy menstrual cycles by preventing the breakdown of blood clots.

In the early 2000s, dermatologists began noticing that patients who were taking oral tranexamic acid for medical reasons also saw dramatic improvements in melasma—a notoriously stubborn skin condition that causes patchy pigmentation, often triggered by hormones and sun exposure.

That observation opened the door to topical forms of tranexamic acid, which offer similar brightening benefits without the systemic effects of taking it as a pill.

How Does Tranexamic Acid Work in Skincare?

Tranexamic acid works differently from most brightening ingredients. Unlike exfoliating acids that speed up cell turnover, or tyrosinase inhibitors like kojic acid that slow down pigment production, tranexamic acid takes a different route. It deals with the inflammation behind the pigment. And that’s what makes it a great team player when paired with other actives.

Research has shown it can:

• Inhibit plasmin, an enzyme that produces inflammation in the skin.

• Interrupt the pathway that leads to melanin production, fading dark spots and potentially preventing new ones from forming

• Calm inflammation, which is especially helpful for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)

And bonus: It’s generally well tolerated even by sensitive skin, unlike some of its harsher cousins (we’re looking at you, high-strength vitamin C).

Who Should Consider Using Tranexamic Acid?

Let’s get this out of the way: not everyone needs tranexamic acid. If you already have a routine with brightening ingredients that work, you don’t need to add another step just because TikTok told you to.

But if any of the following sound familiar, it might be a smart addition:

✅ You have melasma

This is where TXA really shines. Melasma is notoriously hard to treat and is often triggered by hormones (hello, birth control and pregnancy). Tranexamic acid has been studied extensively for melasma and has shown significant improvement, especially when combined with other brighteners like niacinamide or kojic acid.

✅ You’re dealing with post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)

If your pimples leave behind little brown or red reminders long after they’ve healed, tranexamic acid can help speed up the fading process without irritating inflamed or recovering skin.

✅ You have sensitive or reactive skin

Unlike harsher actives, TXA is anti-inflammatory by nature. If potent vitamin C, azelaic acid or kojic acid serums sting your face, if exfoliants leave your skin dry and itchy, or if retinoids have your skin screaming, then TXA might be your new best friend.

The Skinimalist’s Top Product Picks

Tyrosinase inhibitors are becoming more and more popular in skincare, and some of the products I’ve listed below even include more than one in their formulation. These are great if you want the benefit of multiple ingredients without adding multiple steps to your routine.

Best for Oily Skin: Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5%

This lightweight serum combines the brightening abilities of tranexamic acid with both kojic acid, and licorice root extract (two powerful tyrosinase inhibitors), and is additionally bolstered with the brightening power of niacinamide.

If you have dry skin, but want to try this product, it also comes in a heavier, emulsion form, which contains both kojic acid and alpha arbutin.

Best for Dry Skin: Numbuzin No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum

There’s a reason this viral Kbeauty serum has become a cult favorite for brightening. Not only does it contain tranexamic acid, it’s bolstered by the presence of antioxidants like glutathione, alpha arbutin, turmeric extract, and niacinamide. The presence of shea butter in the formulation makes this an emollient that’s great for drier skin types.

Best for Textured Skin: Facetheory Glow-C Tranexamic 3% Serum

Similar to Naturium, Facetheory also combines tranexamic acid, with niacinamide and licorice root for additional brightening power. However, this minimalist formula also contains lactic acid, which gently exfoliates and can help improve the skin’s overall texture and tone.

Best for Sensitive Skin: Haruharu Wonder Dark Spot Go Away Serum Centella 4% TXA

Like I said, tranexamic acid is a great option for sensitive skin, but some of the formulations above may contain other ingredients which aren’t ideal for sensitive skin. In that case, I’d recommend reaching for this serum from Kbeauty brand, Haruharu Wonder, which combines tranexamic acid and niacinamide with 3 types of centella asiatica to calm and repair damaged skin.

Final Thoughts: Is Tranexamic Acid Worth Adding to Your Routine?

If you’re struggling with hyperpigmentation, especially the kind that seems immune to vitamin C or exfoliating acids, tranexamic acid is worth considering. It won’t give you instant results, but it’s a smart, science-backed option that works steadily—and kindly—over time.

Pros:

✅ Non-irritating and suitable for sensitive skin

✅ Can be combined with other actives (niacinamide, retinoids, vitamin C)

✅ Targets stubborn pigmentation and melasma

✅ Minimal risk of side effects or irritation when used topically

Cons:

❌ Results take time—think months, not days

❌ Needs consistent use (and daily sunscreen) to be effective

❌ May not be strong enough on its own for severe pigmentation

It’s not a must-have for everyone (nothing is, really). But if you’re dealing with stubborn pigmentation and tired of the same old formulas, give this one a try.

About The Skinimalist

Hi, I’m Mal, a 30-something recovering skincare addict, and this is my blog. A space where I attempt to de-influence you from chasing trends and buying more skincare products you may not need.

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